Saturday, December 5, 2009

THE umpire referral system lived up to its reputation at the Gabba with rival skippers Ricky Ponting and Chris Gayle split in their feelings on the issue.Gayle made it clear he was no fan after the explosive opener was twice burnt on plumb leg-before dismissals.

Both decisions were upheld after reviews by technology, the Windies skipper dismissed for 31 and one by Ben Hilfenhaus in the first Test thrashing.

Fellow batting kingpin Shivnarine Chanderpaul also wasted a challenge in the first innings when he was struck in front by Peter Siddle while second-innings century maker Adrian Barath appealed in hope when dismissed by Shane Watson.

The embattled tourists couldn't take a trick with the decision review system, making five challenges for no success.

Rubbing salt into the wounds, Gayle refrained from using it when Ponting was rapped on the pads plumb in front by Kemar Roach on day one.

The technology would have given Ponting out but the Windies were gun shy after being knocked back for a previous leg-before challenge.

"As I've said before, I'm not a big fan of it,'' Gayle told the press after the innings and 65-run loss.

"I need your help, I hope you can change it for me.

"Technology is part of the game, sometimes mistakes (are made) even with the technology, that's why I'm not a big fan of it.

"We might as well just go out there with two umpires in the middle, they either get it wrong or right.''

The Windies' challenge policy was unashamedly to protect their top men, which failed on all fronts.

"It's there to use, why not give it a chance,'' Gayle said in defence.

Vice-captain Denesh Ramdin was candid, saying his opinion wavered depending on whether the final decision advantaged his side or not.

Ponting was categorical in his support, even though the system's underlying theme - to eradicate the howlers - appeared to cost Mitchell Johnson a legitimate challenge to a caught-behind verdict as the evidence was inconclusive.

"It's always going to be good for the game, whether or not every one is right is irrelevant I guess,'' the Australian captain said.

"We end up getting more correct decisions made.''

Ponting backed the approach of the umpires to only overturn decisions if the technology conclusively proved the man in the middle was wrong.

"Without the system, that's the decision they would have made anyway, so I think that is a good sign,'' Ponting said.

SHANE Watson powered to within a whisker of his first Test century, leading an emphatic Australian response to a rare display of West Indies dominance.Australia was 0-174 at stumps on day two at Adelaide Oval, with Watson unbeaten on 96 and his opening partner Simon Katich on 71.

The pair made an aggressive reply to the Windies' imposing first innings of 451, a total largely built on Saturday by Australian-born Brendan Nash.

The son of Jamaican parents, Nash - who was born in Western Australia and played for Queensland before moving to Jamaica in 2007 - compiled a methodical 92 as the visitors enjoyed a rare half-day of dominance.

The Windies tailend batsmen ran Australia ragged in compiling 117 runs for their last four wickets, before before Watson thundered Australia back into the contest.

Watson eclipsed his previous Test best score of 78 and was savage on a wayward West Indies bowling attack which failed to capitalise on the fine work of their batsmen.

The Queensland product struck 16 boundaries in a dominant display which deserves a breakthrough ton in his 20th Test innings when he resumes on Sunday.

Watson and Katich's partnership was stunning, but the hosts still trail the West Indies by 277 runs.

Earlier, Nash fell for 92, agonisingly short of his second Test ton, when he chopped a Mitchell Johnson delivery onto his stumps, leaving the Windies all out for 451.

The left-hander had built a 68-run final-wicket stand with big-hitting Ravi Rampaul, who twice clattered the terraces in front of the scoreboard with monster sixes.

Nash's innings combined with Dwayne Bravo's ton yesterday has saved the Windies - lashed as lazy after the Gabba debacle - the humiliation of another embarrassing loss inside three days.

The morning started in the best possible way for Australia when Peter Siddle (1/92) banked his first wicket, trapping Darren Sammy lbw with the opening ball of the day.

Sulieman Benn (17) also fell lbw, to Hauritz, and Kemar Roach made just two before he looked unlucky to be given caught behind off Mitchell Johnson (2/94).

But Roach was unable to appeal the decision, after both Benn and Sammy extended the West Indies' poor run with the video referee, having their protests knocked back by the third umpire.

BRAZIL and Portugal were sent on a World Cup collision course while Lady Luck smiled on England in the World Cup 2010 draw.The Brazilians and Portuguese will clash in Group G and will be joined by top African side Ivory Coast and unknown quantities North Korea in what has been dubbed the "group of death".

England coach Fabio Capello had reason to be happy as his men drew the United States, Algeria and Slovenia.

Ironically it was David Beckham, who plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who pulled out the ball which paired up the Americans with England in the World Cup for the first time since 1950 when the United States pulled off a shock 1-0 win.

Group B has Argentina, South Korea, Nigeria and Greece, with Germany, Australia, Ghana and Serbia making up Group D.

The Netherlands have Japan, Cameroon and Denmark in Group E. Italy has New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia in Group F while in the final Group H, European champions Spain go up against Honduras, Chile and Switzerland.

The draw, which saw the 32 qualified teams split into eight groups of four for the first round stage of the June 11-July 11 tournament, laid down the battle lines for what will be the first World Cup to be played on African soil.

With the eyes of the footballing world firmly focused on this historic city perched on the southern tip of the continent, it was an evening full of symbolic significance both for Africa and for South Africa, coming as it did just 15 years after the end of the apartheid era.

After a show that featured both traditional and modern African music, the stage was handed over to South African-born Academy Award winning actress Charlize Theron who took on the duties of main presenter to be joined on stage later by other sporting celebrities including Beckham.

First, as pre-arranged, out of the seeded Pot 1 were hosts South Africa who will be playing in just their third World Cup and who, at 86th in the world, are the lowest-ranking team in the competition.

They were followed in turn by heavyweights Argentina, England, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Brazil and Spain.

It was then a question of who would go up against them from the three remaining pots which had been carefully assembled to ensure that teams from the same continent would be kept apart as far as possible.

The four Asian qualifiers, three North and Central American teams and minnows New Zealand, representing Oceania, came out of Pot 2. First out was Mexico putting them into the opening match against South Africa in Johannesburg on June 11.

The five remaining African sides and three remaining South Americans were allocated from out of Pot 3 leaving the remaining eight European teams from the final Pot 4.

The latter contained the two most dangerous floaters in the draw - France and Portugal - and when Portugal were flung in with Brazil the atmosphere turned electric in the main auditorium of the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

HOST nation South Africa will face Mexico in an intriguing and high-energy opening game of the 2010 World Cup.South Africa is ranked 86th in the world and will find a tough opponent in the world's 15th ranked team on June 11.

On the other hand, it will be able to count on the support of many in the 87,000-capacity Soccer City stadium.

A huge gasp went up from the 3000-strong crowd when Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron decided Mexico would play the opener.

The picking of South Africa's opponent for the opening match was one of the most anticipated moments of the World Cup draw ceremony.

"I don't envy the Mexicans who are going to be subject to 90,000 vuvuzelas,'' said South Africa defender Matthew Booth, referring to the loud horns that Bafana Bafana fans love to use.

Worse was to come for South Africa when France, ranked seventh in the world, was also put in group A. The French will play the often decisive last group game against the hosts.

"Sometimes no comments speak louder than words,'' said Theron, the presenter. Uruguay was the fourth team in the group.

Some of the opening matches have set World Cups off on the right track.

Four years ago, Germany was considered dour and short on attacking flair. After its 4-2 win over Bolivia, the host rode its momentum into the semifinals and finally finished third.

In 2002, the opener was one of the biggest shockers when outgoing world champion France was supposed to have an easy ride against Senegal.

Bouba Diop decided otherwise, leading the Africans to a perfect start with a 1-0 win. France never recovered and was eliminated in the group stage.

It was not the only time Africa made such a splash in the first game. In Milan in 1990, African football truly came onto the international scene when Oman Biyeck scored for Cameroon to beat defending champion Argentina.

Diego Maradona and Argentina did recover from the shock and lost the cup only in the last minutes of the final against Germany.

Argentina had a similar start in 1982 in Spain, when it also was the defending champion. That time, Erwin Vandenbergh scored the only goal for an upset Belgian win.

There have also been some awful duds to kick off the World Cup, as three scoreless openers from 1966 to 1974 illustrate.

As host, South Africa was already sure to play the opener at Soccer City.

THE Australian Communications and Media Authority has made a breakthrough decision for sport in WA, granting SportFM 91.3 a 24/7 broadcasting licence.

Western Sports Media/SportFM came out trumps over several bids for the licence, including those from Cockburn Sounds Inc and Phoenix Radio Ltd.

“The ACMA was very encouraged by the strength of the applicants. The calibre of the applicants reflects the value of the temporary community broadcasting scheme,” ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said.

But SportFM won out after ACMA declared the station could best serve the community with its strong focus on grassroots sports coverage.

SportFM's commitment to elite-level sports also put its application for the 24/7 licence in good stead.

The station is regularly the sole provider of live broadcasts of domestic cricket, covering the WA Warriors' matches, Super 14/15 rugby with Western Force matches, exclusive radio/internet streaming coverage of the Perth Wildcats' NBL campaign and much more.

The broadcaster's teaming with PerthNow in February, 2009, a unique and pioneering move in terms of Australian sports coverage, also helped provide a strong argument for SportFM's application, with the partnership resulting in SportFM's broadcasts reaching a large audience nation and worldwide.

"It was evident that WSM has benefited from providing a temporary service in Fremantle in developing its corporate governance experience and encouraging the community to participate in its operations and programming," Chapman said.

The station will continue to serve the sporting community by focusing on grass roots and local sports.

It will also air sports which are not currently covered by broadcasting services in the area. In return, the stations long term service will be able to satisfy an unmet need.

SportFM's licence acquisition means PerthNow's unique sports coverage now includes an exclusive 24/7 broadcast stream that will frequently provide live match coverage of sports unable to be heard anywhere else.

PerthNow's offering of up-to-date news via its print, mobile, video and now-radio services makes it one of the most comprehensive and accessible sports news outlets in Australia.

If you're at the match, tune in to SportFM's coverage on 91.3FM - either through your radio or mobile phone. If you're at home, stream the game live through the player on this page (to the right).

Whatever your sport - whether it be football (Aussie Rules), football (soccer) or football (rugby) - PerthNow and SportFM 91.3 will keep you up-to-date, informed and entertaine

THE Socceroos face being grouped with two powerhouses at next year's World Cup after France and Portugal were left unseeded for Saturday morning's draw.FIFA said last night the seeds were selected according to the world rankings as of October, meaning Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, and England made the grade. South Africa was also seeded in Pot One as the host nation.

France and Portugal's omission means they are in Pot Four along with the rest of the European teams, Denmark, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Switzerland.

With one team from each pot to be drawn in each group, Australia faces the possibility of drawing a seeded team, such as Brazil or England, and either France or Portugal in the group stage.

The Socceroos are in Pot Two alongside Asian rivals Japan, North Korea and South Korea, CONCACAF qualifiers Honduras, Mexico, the US and neighbour New Zealand, killing off any hopes of a trans-Tasman clash in the group stage.

The Socceroos could still draw a relatively favourable group that featured South Africa, and the likes of Algeria and Slovenia, but the worst case could be a group of Brazil, France and African powerhouse Ivory Coast.

FIFA denied France, ranked seventh in the world, had been relegated from the seeds because of the controversial way it qualified, with Thierry Henry's handball putting Les Bleus through at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

FIFA said the teams had been drawn with geographical criteria respected, meaning that no two teams from the same confederation will be drawn in the same group, except the Europeans, where a maximum of two will be in a group.

The French delegation travelled to Cape Town confident it would be among the seven heavyweights of world football to join host South Africa in the top strata, ensuring a relatively easier draw for the group stages.

But it was shocked when FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke announced the Netherlands would fill the remaining spot.

French optimism had been based on the way the seeds were decided four years ago for the World Cup in Germany.No easy draw for SocceroosTOUGH TASK: The Socceroos face being grouped with two powerhouses at next year's World Cup. Picture: APOn that occasion, the latest FIFA rankings at that time had been taken into consideration along with performances in the two previous World Cups.

This time, however, Valcke said the seeding system was purely based on the FIFA rankings of October.

In those, France was ninth, but one place ahead of it was Croatia, which failed to qualify for the finals.

But with South Africa already assured of being among the seeds, only seven places were available and France lost out on that criteria.

Valcke said FIFA felt that was the most efficient way of ensuring the best teams of the moment were allocated seeding privileges.

FOR Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Australia's first game against Germany in Durban on June 13 will be extra special.Schwarzer is of German origin and played some of his early career in Dresden and Kaisterslauten.

"I'm excited about playing against Germany, it will be very special for me,'' the Fulham custodian said, noting that he had been in touch with German friends and family just minutes after the draw.

"The banter has started already,'' he said.

"They've got a fantastic side and they always do well at World Cups and to get them first up is fantastic.''

He said he was not overawed at facing German super-striker Miroslav Klose, who has scored 10 World Cup goals in two tournaments.

"Every team has got three or four players who have got international world-class qualities,'' he said.

He said he was looking forward to locking horns with Fulham teammate John Paintsil in South Aftrica, while he described Serbia as "a bit of an unknown quantity''.

Schwarzer agreed that Australia had been handed one of the toughest qualifying groups, but he was not overawed by our opposition.

"It's definitely not the easiest group but it could have been a lot worse,'' he said.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said he was content with his side's draw.

"Could have been better, could have been worse,'' he told SBS television.

"Germany's one of the best teams in the world - it's a great opponent for the first game, Ghana is very strong and Serbia beat France.

"Every game is full of challenges.

"We have a good record against Ghana, we've never lost against them.''

The Socceroos last played Germany at the 2005 Confederations Cup, matching the host nation for much of the game but eventually falling to a thrilling 4-3 defeat in Frankfurt.

Australia last played Ghana in a friendly in May last year, winning 1-0 with a Mile Sterjovski goal.But Ghana were missing their stars Essien and Muntari, though the Socceroos were also understrength.

Schwarzer said most of the reaction to the draw in England had centred on their "easy'' path to the second round. England has drawn with the USA, Algeria and Slovenia.

He said England fans watching the draw in pubs were celebrating already.

"I hope it doesn't come back and bite them on the backside,'' he said.

And he added that the prospect of a second round clash with England which will happen if England top Group C and Australia are second in Group D was mouth-watering.

"You don't want to get ahead of yourself and look beyond the first stage but if you needed extra incentive there it is,'' Schwarzer said.

Before the draw, Socceroos defender Craig Moore was hoping for an opportunity at some stage in the tournament to get revenge against reigning champion Italy, who controversially bundled them out of the 2006 World Cup.

"It would be nice to come up against them and hopefully reverse that result," the Brisbane Roar captain said of Australia's heartbreaking round-of-16 loss in 2006.

"They went ahead in strength and confidence after the game against us," Moore said.

"They definitely didn't outplay us at any stage, and they were the world champions.

"There's teams you'd like to avoid but you're not going to go into the tournament worried too much about any team that you come up against.

PERTH Glory captain Jacob Burns is facing an almost certain two-match ban for accumulation of yellow cards.Burns, the most cautioned player in the A-League, is one of three Glory stars who will walk a yellow card tightrope during today's vital home clash with Brisbane Roar.

Dutch striker Victor Sikora and midfielder Adriano Pellegrino will receive one-match suspensions for accumulation of yellow cards when they pick up their next caution.

The penalty hanging over Burns' head is more severe because he has already served his first suspension this season.

Players are banned for one game on receiving their fifth caution, but then for two matches on picking up each additional three yellow cards.

Burns has seven for the season, while Sikora and Pellegrino have four each.

Burns can be forgiven for his record, considering the midfield workhorse is the A-League's most prolific tackler.

To avoid the two-match ban, he needs to avoid picking up a single yellow card for the last 11 matches of the regular season.

Given he is picking up cautions at the rate of 0.47 per match, the two-game suspension looms as a time bomb that cannot be avoided.

Burns said the penalty was tough given the short season, but he would not change his style of play.

"You can't go into games thinking, 'I can't make that tackle, I can't do that because then I'm gone for two games'," he said.

"At some point it may come sooner rather than later. You can't think about what team that's going to be or when it's going to come."

The 31-year-old has formed an integral partnership in central midfield with Wayne Srhoj, although Pellegrino has shown he is capable of filling a more central role when required, as he is likely to be called to fill in.

Players' records are wiped before the finals. Three yellow cards in the finals series triggers a one-game suspension.

Sikora and Pellegrino could be saved from suspension this season if they can avoid going into the referee's book for the next four games, because the automatic suspension trigger moves from five yellow cards to eight after Round 21.

Burns missed the Round 10 clash with Adelaide United after picking up his fifth yellow card and if he continues to pick up cautions at the same rate could be suspended for four more matches.

The fringe Socceroo is likely to leave Glory on an overseas loan deal before the end of the regular season to enhance his chances of being picked in Australia's World Cup squad.

* JETS STRIKE: The Newcastle Jets have kept Adelaide United anchored to the bottom of the A-League ladder with a 2-0 victory at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Captain Matt Thompson netted from close range in the 46th minute before South Korean Jin-Hyung Song converted an 80th-minute penalty.

BOXING champ Danny Green is looking to add more art to his already heavily inked body to celebrate his remarkable underdog win against Roy Jones Jr.

The International Boxing Organisation cruiserweight champion spent his first day back in WA yesterday relaxing with his family.

Picture Gallery: Danny Green's wonderful week

But on Wednesday, the hysteria following his win against Jones will start again when the City of Perth holds a public celebration in his honour.

Jones -- one of the greatest fighters in boxing history -- lasted just 122 seconds of the first round before succumbing to a merciless barrage of blows from the Green Machine.

Green, 36, told The Sunday Times his friends were encouraging him to commemorate the win with a fresh tattoo.

``The boys want me to get one,'' he said.

``I haven't started thinking about what the tattoo could be.

``I've got a bloke I go to for tattoos, but I'll keep his name quiet. He's so busy, he doesn't need extra business.''

Green's upper body is covered in tattoos, including the handprints of his two children, his surname, the Olympic torch and an image of his fist breaking through a brick wall.

Green said he was still pinching himself after his win against Jones Jr.

``To achieve that in such devastating fashion in Australia was out of this world,'' he said.

``It's been a dream come true to cement my name in boxing legacy.''

The public will get a chance to celebrate with Green on Wednesday.

``(Lord Mayor) Lisa Scaffidi and the Perth City Council have invited me to Forrest Chase at 12.30pm to give me a chance to say thank you to everyone,'' Green said.

``It's a lovely gesture and a great way to show my appreciation to the fans.''

THE TATTOOS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

INITIALS, CARDS WITH THE NUMBER 3 AND DICE:``This was my first tattoo. I got it when I was 20-years-old,'' Danny Green said.``I wanted a tattoo that was significant so I created the design myself.''The tattoo has Green's initials surrounded by a circle of cards all showing the number three.``It's an endless deck of cards with the number three because I'm superstitious about that number,'' Green said.``I put the cards around my initials so they could be my superstitious protection.``The dice symbolise taking chances like I did the other night against Roy Jones Jnr. Life's a gamble.''

OLYMPIC TORCH AND RINGS:Green became a professional boxer after representing Australia in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.``I got the leaf of the coat of arms and the Olympic torch to celebrate the 2000 Sydney Olympics,'' Green said.``It's something I'm obviously very proud of.``Normally people use the kangaroo and the emu from the coat of arms but I went for the leaf.''

HIS SON, ARCHIE:Green is an extremely proud father. He has tattoos of his two children's faces and handprints.``I woke Archie up one morning before I went to the tattoo shop to get it down,'' he said.``He had never woken up with hands covered in paint before.``He was painting at 7am so he was very happy.''

CHLOE:``I did Chloe's handprint in lollipop colours because she's my little girl,'' Green said.``She's on my arm so she stays close to my heart while I'm away.''

SURNAME:Green is incredibly proud of his heritage. This tattoo is by far his largest and reminds him of who he is despite the hysteria that might sometimes surround him.

FIST THROUGH BRICKWALL:To succeed in boxing you need to believe you can do anything, even punch through brickwalls.``This tattoo represents blood, sweat and tears which is what I've been through in my boxing career,'' Green said.``I've busted walls down by just being strong and positive and working like a demon.''